Imidacloprid and neonicotinoids are directly linked to honey bee colony collapse, and these are the two most commonly used chemicals in pesticides. Bayer invented and held the patent on Imidacloprid, the ingredient in their systemic "2 in 1" rose and shrub insecticide, but now the chemical is available to any manufacturer without restriction.
It can hang out in the soil for 5 years and is 20-30 times more toxic than Sevin Dust to pollinators.
"A recent report from the Xerces Society states that ornamental plants treated with a soil drench of imidacloprid have concentrations of imidacloprid high enough to kill bees in the blossoms for months to years following treatment. Imidacloprid lasts longer than a year and using it annually on plants may increase the amounts found in pollen and nectar.
An insecticide does not have to kill in order to have an effect. Organisms may survive exposure to low doses but suffer physiological or behavioral changes. There is limited information on such sublethal effects on bees, but research has indicated that exposure to neonicotinoids can affect bees ' ability to fly and navigate, learn, and reproduce."
http://www.xerces.org/neonicot...
We had 3 huge double blooming hibiscus bushes that were totally infested with thrips when we moved in...the blooms would just plop to the ground before even opening. Then they would rot and stick to the driveway so badly they had to be pressure washed off, eventually. I tried everything....and when the Ag extension guy said imidacloprid systemics were the only option, I dug them up and sent them to the landfill....can't stomach adding to the concentration of pesticides around here. I haven't seen a single bee in my neighborhood since I moved it.
